junefirst26

I remember seeing this film years ago, precable. It made me laugh sooo much. Why doesn't some SMART Columbia person put this out on DVD already. Since Eli is still with us and I think he is in good health, would'nt it be great if he could do a commentary on the film,(or at least an intro, or small interview, like he did for The Good The Bad And The Ugly reissue), prehaps along with Anne as well, if they are both up for it. But anyway it is a real shame that this gem has never been released for home theater viewing. Columbia finally released Good Neighbor Sam, but you have to get it in a box set. Other 60s funny ones I'm waiting for are; The Film Flam Man, The Art Of Love, Cold Turkey, and John Goldfarb Please Come Home.

I was really looking forward to seeing this three part special, however I was really kind of let down. The first part was the best, with most of the old classics represented, then it started to fall apart about half way through the second part, and by the third part I thought I was watching a tribute to Clint Eastwood. I know that Warners was known as the rough and tumble studio that would'nt pull any punches, but my God, does each clip have to push you over the edge? About the time I saw Ginger Rogers getting whipped, I was asking myself, gee didn't they do any comedies or musicals. Lots of down and out people, people getting shot, even the KKK! Then from Dirty Harry on, I thought I was watching a tribute to Clint Eastwood, with some Steven Spielberg thrown in. What happened to A STAR IS BORN -1954, 2001-A SPACE ODYSSEY, and NETWORK ??? It was also very boring, basically just a clip show, with very little inside information. Nothing about how each studio had their own theaters, until Uncle Sam told them to break them up and sell them, very little about the break up of the studio system, and how they took on television. All in all, very little imagination went into this, as I said, besides the tribute to Clint Eastwood feel of it, it was basically just five hours of clips. If you are interested in the history of Hollywood I would suggest these better titles to watch for; GOLDWYN: THE MAN AND HIS MOVIES, 2001; MGM: WHEN THE LION ROARS, 1992; Hollywood THE GOLDEN YEARS: THE RKO STORY, 1987, 6 parts.

Every Bob Hope fan should try and purchase this title. The first hour has Dorothy Lamour telling about her involvement with War Bond Drives, and it has some wonderful footage of Hollywoods Greats doing what they can for the cause, either by signing up, or Bond drives, or showing up at the Hollywood Canteen to entertain the troops before they went over seas. Then there is a half hour with Bob Hope, and a reunion with super singer, Frances Langford (the Bamboo Blonde), dancer Patty Thomas, and his guitar player Tony Romano. They tell some funny stories, and laugh a lot and even sing a little. They all had a great time, I wish Jerry Colonna could have been there too. This should really be out on DVD by now, with lots of extras. All these people are American HEROS in my book and should not be forgotten. I would like to find out from anyone out there where the footage of Command Performance USA, radio show came from, with Bob Hope as MC, Lana Turner fries up a thick steak in front of a microphone, Judy Garland and Betty Hutton both spar with Bob, and sing, though some of this footage is not included in this special. Does anybody know if this complete footage of this radio show is available for purchase?